PN's Maran candidate says wife's suspension by Umno an 'insult'

GE15 | The Perikatan Nasional candidate for Maran, Ismail Abdul Muttalib, has urged the Umno leadership to exercise caution its decision-making following the suspension of his wife, Fatimah Kassim, as Wanita Umno Maran chief and a party member.

Ismail (above, right), a former four-term Umno Maran MP and now defending his seat under a PN ticket, said his wife’s suspension for supposedly supporting an opposing candidate should not happen as she has been rightfully elected by Wanita Umno delegates.

“As my wife, she will give me moral support. (But) there’s no guarantee that she is supporting my (new) party.

“That means this act (of suspension) appears to be an insult. Many people commented to me, what right do they (Umno) have to suspend her?

“When you (Umno) do that, more people will be angry, as if we have no dignity,” he told Malaysiakini when met at his home in Maran yesterday.

Earlier yesterday, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan announced the suspension of Fatimah (above, left) and Arau Wanita Umno chief Shamsiah Yasin who were supposedly found supporting BN’s rivals in the ongoing GE15 campaign.

“Umno had received legitimate complaints over actions, attitudes, and tendencies of the two Wanita Umno division chiefs, who had been directly or indirectly supporting a rival candidate,” said Ahmad.

Ismail, as well as Arau incumbent Shahidan Kassim, were among those dropped by Umno from defending their seats, and have since moved to contest under the PN banner.

Ismail warned that the attitude of top Umno leaders who refused to accept criticism will lead the party to destruction.

Meanwhile, Fatimah said Umno’s move to suspend her will not break her fighting spirit.

“I am more comfortable now, and in fact, in this current circumstance, I am more spirited to fight, to help my husband ensure victory,” said Fatimah.

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